Editors' Summary: The tragic release of deadly methyl isocyanate gas from a Union Carbide facility in Bhopal, India, followed shortly by the release of a toxic gas from Union Carbide's plant in Institute, West Virginia, sharply focused the public's attention on the risk of sudden, accidental releases of hazardous chemicals in this country. Federal, state, and local governments, as well as the chemical industry itself, have responded with various initiatives designed to reduce the risks. The author analyzes these initiatives, along with the statutory mechanisms already in place, to determine whether they provide adequate protection to the people living near chemical facilities. The author observes that an effective program requires both accident prevention and emergency planning mechanisms and concludes that citizen oversight may be the most important element of a national prevention and response strategy.